Trump: Iran Was Two Weeks Away From A Nuclear Missile
Trump says he was never convinced by the ceasefire and considered it a waste of time, that no Iranian ship has broken the naval blockade for months, and that Iranians are smart and build effective weapons but the US has dealt them a severe defeat
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) - During a campaign rally in Mississippi on Monday President Donald Trump said that he was never convinced by the ceasefire with Iran and considered it a waste of time, that the US has complete control of the Strait of Hormuz with more oil flowing through it than before the war, that Iran was only two weeks away from having a nuclear missile, and that no Iranian ship has managed to break the naval blockade for months.
"I was not convinced about the ceasefire with Iran and considered it a waste of time," Trump said. "We allowed ships to pass during it based on expert recommendations."
He added: "No Iranian ship has managed to break the naval blockade for months. We have complete control of the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and more oil is being extracted through it than the amount that passed before the war."
Trump stated: "We are carrying out our mission regarding Iran for the sake of Americans and oil prices are currently lower than before." He described Iran as the world's largest sponsor of terrorism and said the country was only two weeks away from having a nuclear missile when the campaign began. He acknowledged Iranian capabilities while asserting American superiority: "Iranians are smart and build effective weapons, but we have dealt them a severe defeat."
The Ceasefire Framing
Trump's characterization of the June 2026 memorandum of understanding as something he was never convinced by and considered a waste of time is the most dismissive American presidential statement yet about the agreement that Araghchi said Iran signed after 39 days under duress. The IRGC spokesman Mohebbi previously said the enemy signed the MOU out of desperation and inability, while Araghchi said Washington violated Article Five by pressuring Oman to redirect ship routes. Trump's statement that the ceasefire was a waste of time aligns with the IRGC's characterization that it was a tactical pause rather than a genuine diplomatic settlement from Washington's perspective.
The Nuclear Timeline
Trump's statement that Iran was two weeks away from a nuclear missile when the campaign began is the most specific American presidential assertion yet about the immediacy of Iran's nuclear weapons timeline. Vice President Vance told CBS News Sunday October 18 that the US is seeking a final and decisive commitment from Iran that it will not rebuild its nuclear programme. Trump's two-week figure, if accurate, would mean the US-Israel strikes of February 28, 2026 prevented an imminent nuclear weapons acquisition rather than a longer-term proliferation risk.
Hormuz And The Blockade
Trump's claim that more oil is now flowing through Hormuz than before the war contradicts the IRGC's consistent assertion that the strait is closed and that any vessel attempting unauthorized transit will be hit. CENTCOM Commander Admiral Cooper confirmed last week that 1.3 billion barrels have moved through Hormuz under US military escort since the conflict began and that 13 to 14 million barrels transit daily. Treasury Secretary Bessent confirmed no oil loading at Iran's Kharg Island since August, making Iran the only country unable to get a single barrel through the strait it claims to control.